Free Software, Free Society: Second Edition

We are very pleased and excited to announce the addition of two important books to the GNU Press collection this month: the second edition of Free Software, Free Society: Selected Essays of Richard M. Stallman and Free as in Freedom 2.0: Richard Stallman and the Free Software Revolution, both in paperback.

The new edition of Free Software, Free Society features a number of
changes: updated versions of the essays on the GNU Project and free
software and a selection of the essays Stallman has written since
2002, when the first edition was published. It draws a starker
distinction between areas of copyright and those of patents in a way
we hope will put an end to the confusion of the issues; an
introduction, written by Brett Smith, the FSF's compliance engineer,
now provides historical context for the drafting of the licenses and
makes plain the importance of the documents; a part of the book is
entirely devoted to the issue of naming and its significance in the
survival of free software; another discusses the traps that erode our
freedoms, and another urges us to choose civic values and community
over convenience; and, finally, there is now an index, to maximize the
usefulness of the book.

Also now in print is GNU Press' second edition of Free as in
Freedom, Sam Williams' biography of Richard Stallman, revised and
annotated by Richard Stallman. Williams had put the first edition of
the book under the GNU Free Documentation License, thus allowing
others to modify and improve upon the work. With Free as in Freedom
(2.0) the reader can enjoy the manifold advantages presented by this
unique format in which the subject's corrections, rebuttals, and
opinions are laid beside the biographer's account and interpretations.
Williams' interviews, outside perspective, and his exposition of the
facts are corrected, refined, and informed by Stallman's technical
expertise and his first-hand knowledge of both the events and his own
motivations. See what Stallman has to say about his own life and work
and the free software movement.

Proceeds from the sale of these books will help fund our campaigns to
promote and defend computer users' rights. Any way you could help
spread the word would be useful to the movement: share the books (as
stocking stuffers perhaps this holiday season!) with your friends and
family, ask your local libraries and bookstores to stock a copy, ask
your professors to consider ordering them for their classes, give a
copy to the decision makers in your organization, or put a link to the
online version on your homepage. Get these books -- enjoy a 10 percent
discount when you buy both Stallman's biography and his collection of
essays from the FSF store -- for yourself or for future free software
supporters, and help get the word out on this most current and
critical social issue.

If you are not yet a member, please do consider joining. You will have the option of receiving Free Software, Free Society as your welcome gift and enjoy a 20 percent discount on all items in the FSF store. Thanks for supporting free software.